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Griffith Shukan News
Friday 25th September 2009
CONTENTS:
1. Michael Williams Sensei teaching at Nathan Dojo
2. Aiki Extensions Charity Event
3. Dojo Closures During Byron Bay Seminar
4. News From Everton Hills Dojo
1. Michael Williams Sensei teaching at Nathan Dojo
Hello everyone
We have the pleasure of welcoming Michael Williams Sensei to the dojo next Tuesday 29th September. Many of you will only be aware of Michael Williams Sensei through references to him on our club website and through the student handbook.
Michael Williams Sensei was awarded 9th Dan and appointed as International Chief Instructor of Aikido Yuishinkai by the Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai, Master Koretoshi Maruyama, in October 2003. In this role, he acts as facilitator for the expansion of Aikido Yuishinkai International and makes available the resources necessary to disseminate information to affiliated dojos around the world. Sensei also founded Griffith Aikido in 1980, so he is both the second most senior aikidoka of our style, and our club's founder, so it is a huge privilege to have him visit. Sensei will be teaching at the National Seminar in Byron Bay at the end of next week, but is currently in Brisbane. For more information on Michael Williams Sensei, please visit http://www.aikidoyuishinkai.com/m_williams.htm
Sensei is looking forward to officiating for some gradings, including a Shodan grading for Christie Sutcliffe from Capalaba Dojo, as well as catching up with seniors and meeting all our new members This will be an excellent opportunity to meet him.
Please be on time to start the class at 6.30pm.
Rod Nixon-Smith
2. Aiki Extensions Charity Event
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Hi folks, This Saturday myself and my friend Piotr Strozik will be thrown 3000 times to raise money for charity (and because we love a challenge). Details. 3000 times is probably a world record (confirming with Guinness currently), will take 7.5 hours and is at least the equivalent effort of running a marathon. We have been in training for 4 months several hours a day, so are as prepared as can be. The charity we doing this in aid of is Aiki Extensions. Aiki Extensions works with peace and youth around the world. I saw the good work they do first hand when I volunteered for them in Cyprus, Brazil, Palestine and Ethiopia. Videos from youth projects they support here: http://www.aikidoharmonia.com.br/aikido/siteIngles/harmoniaemacao0.htm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82-FwLDyxiQ If you would like to sponsor us that would be great. You can do this by donating online now - all major credit and debit cards excepted (via Paypal) - enter amount in US$ - £1= $1.65 http://www.aiki-extensions.org/waysdonate..asp Or just by mailing me back and making a pledge if you'd like to wait until after the event or don't want to use online payment. Please give whatever you enjoy giving (good wishes/love/prayers etc will also be appreciated but cold hard cash is much better - even £5 ($8.5) - it will add up). Please also send this on to others who may also want to support our efforts. Thanks for your support, Mark INTEGRATION TRAINING |
3. Dojo Closures During Byron Bay Seminar
Nathan Dojo will be closed on Saturday 3rd October during the Byron Bay seminar. For further information regarding the Byron Bay seminar dates and classes please follow the links from www.griffithaikido.com
4. News From Everton Hills
Will Ye No Come Back Again?
All of us were saddened to see Alan Barr, our Scottish Aikidoka, leave on 12SEP09. Alan and his wife, Julie, are transferring up to Mackay and we all wish them every happiness and success for their move. Alan has been with us since mid February and has made wonderful progress. From a hesitant start (we ALL remember feeling that, don’t we?) Alan worked hard and improved greatly to the stage where he was doing lovely flowing techniques. That is a credit to Alan, to Craig who spent sessions training one on one with Alan and also to all his ukes.
On his last day Alan graded to 5th. KYU. It was an excellent grading and a well deserved going away present. One nice touch was that all Alan’s training partners got to uke for him for one technique each, so everyone helped him in his grading. We look forward to welcoming Alan back again on any visits to Brisbane.
Not So Dusty Gradings!
Despite the awful pall of dust which hung over us yesterday there were two excellent gradings at Everton Hills last night. Gabriel Karour did his 4th. KYU and Darren Richardson his 2nd. KYU. Gabriel showed great benefits from his “cross training” ie two evenings a week at Everton Hills, much of that with Craig, and Saturday mornings with Chris Cobban Sensei at Nathan. Throughout his grading Gabriel showed nice straight posture and composure and lovely techniques. His ikkyos, nikyos and sankyos proved conclusively that excellence in these techniques is hereditary!
Darren has put in many months of regular training and showed that he was well and truly ready with a fine display. Much of Darren’s grading practice was done with the Everton Hills “Sea of Green” Think Tank” of Cameron, David, Michelle, Sylvie and Martin and that proved to be an ideal preparation. Darren was beautifully relaxed and I’ve always said that the relaxation is one of the greatest bye products we gain from our Aikido training.
As a footnote to the gradings, thanks very much to Eric who attended to help uke for both Gabriel and Darren. That effort, especially in the trying conditions, was greatly appreciated. Indeed thanks to all ukes because it was definitely a hard night at the office!
Craig’s Appointment
Because of concern about the lack of back up for me as Instructor at Everton Hills last Saturday the Executive Committee appointed Craig Mann an Instructor also. Craig has been giving me great support in many aspects of running Everton Hills Dojo and this appointment formalizes his position. Congratulations, Craig, and thanks for all your assistance.
Rod Nixon-Smith.
Shirin Mohebbi
Griffith Aikido Newsletter Editor
Email: shirin(AT)internode.on.net
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